Air Methods Enters Agreements to Purchase 42 New Aircraft

DENVER, Dec 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE via COMTEX) --
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, today announced it has entered into agreements to purchase 20 Bell 407s, 10 Eurocopter EC130s, six Eurocopter AS350s, and six Eurocopter EC135s. These new aircraft will directly support Air Methods' commitment to maintaining a modern air medical fleet as well as future growth opportunities. Delivery of the aircraft will start in 2013 and continue into 2015.

"Air Methods continues to devote financial resources to improve the quality and safety of our services and these new aircraft will have a direct and immediate impact on that commitment," stated Aaron Todd, CEO. "Maintaining a modern fleet with leading-edge performance and safety technologies has been and will continue to be a focus. These four airframes have a proven combination of safety, performance and reliability and are outstanding platforms for our mission profile."
The installation of the medical interior and cockpit avionics is expected to be completed by the Company's internal United Rotorcraft Division. The design of the United Rotorcraft medical interiors ensures clinicians can provide critical life-saving care to every patient. The Company's standard avionics suite will be installed on each including night vision goggle capability, helicopter terrain avoidance warning systems, GPS, satellite weather, and satellite tracking.

Air Methods Corporation (www.airmethods.com) is the global leader in air medical transportation. The Air Medical Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services for hospitals and one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. United Rotorcraft Division specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. Air Methods' fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features over 400 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

Please contact Christine Clarke at (303) 792-7579 to be included on the Company's fax and/or mailing list.

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